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Security ramped up for Ashes in wake of Bondi attack
SEN •  December 16th, 2025 3:13 pm
South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens had said security will be increased at the Adelaide Oval for the third Ashes Test in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.
Fifteen innocent people and a gunman were killed on Sunday and dozens were critically injured when two shooters opened fire on a Jewish Festival at the iconic Sydney landmark.
Tributes have come in from all corners of the world, with Australia captain Pat Cummins, who lives close to Bondi, saying he was devastated by what had unfolded and confirming all players will wear black armbands throughout the Test.
"Like most other Aussies, I'm horrified," he said in a press conference on Tuesday. "We are watching in disbelief. we take our kids there all the time and it hits home very hard.
"I really feel for the Bondi and Jewish community. it's been pretty powerful scenes. We will wear armbands throughout the Test and pay tribute to the victims."
While the third Test against England will go ahead as planned, Commissioner Stevens explained there would be increased security, more checks and he urged fans to allow more time to access the ground.
“We don’t have any information whatsoever that indicates there’s a linkage between what happened in Bondi on the weekend and South Australia, particularly the Test match,” Stevens told ABC News.
“But we have an obligation to make sure when people are attending mass gathering events in South Australia that they’re not only are safe, they also feel safe.
“So that extra policing presence that people will see when they arrive at the Oval and during the course of the event is there to assure people that we take this seriously and they should feel safe and come to the event with confidence it will be a well managed and properly handled event.
“We are working closely with the Adelaide Oval team and their security officers.
“They do bag checks as you enter the Oval, I would expect they will be applying more diligence on this occasion than they may ordinarily do. I suggest that people get there just a fraction earlier so they can get through that.”
Paying tribute to the victims of the massacre, Cricket Australia and the England & Wales Cricket Board released a joint statement on Monday.
“All of our thoughts are with the victims, their friends and families, the Jewish community and the people of Australia at this deeply distressing time,” the statement read.
“Our condolences go out to all those affected. We stand with you.”
